The only thing I can see that kept them in business as long as they were was the fact they only waylaid people migrating. I know for a fact if the locals, most fought in the WBTS, in some instances fought Indians, and worked hard to grind out an existance for them and their families and they would not have put up with them robbibg from them. Its like on tv where a gang rides into town and holds the town at bay while the pilliage and plunder. It didn`t happen. What does surprise me is the locals let it go for as long as they did even though they suspected them. I guess it happens the same today when people know their is a drug dealer lives next door, but fails to get involved.
Larry